Whatever It Takes

Phoebus' Parker Makes An Impact At Defensive Back

HAMPTON — Not long ago, D.J. Parker was a skinny freshman having second thoughts about playing football.

Although he'd played recreational ball for years, the thought of suiting up for Phoebus intimidated the then-5-foot-8, 140-pound Parker.

"I thought I was too small," he said.

Phantoms assistant Ron Johnson helped him see things differently.

"He has so much talent," said Johnson, who is also the junior varsity coach, "and I saw that he had talent back then. He tried to go back to the rec league, but I said 'No.'

"He worked through it."

Working through it meant earning a starting spot at defensive back and wide receiver his sophomore and junior seasons.

Now a 6-0, 160-pound senior, Parker was a first-team, all-Peninsula District selection this season at defensive back. His seven pass break-ups lead the team and he is tied with Philip Brown for interceptions with three. At quarterback, he has helped lead the Phantoms to a 12-0 record. They will go for their 25th consecutive win when they play host to South Lakes in a Division 5 state semifinal at Darling Stadium.

Before this year, Parker's experience as a quarterback was as a back-up. He loved being a wide receiver, but knew it would be his turn to lead the offense once former quarterback Ronnie Hendricks graduated last May.

"I knew I had to be ready for it," Parker said. "I didn't like it at first, but I don't care, I'm a team player and I'd do anything to help us win."

Phoebus coach Bill Dee has been impressed with Parker's maturity. Earlier this season, with the Phantoms trailing 6-0 to Kecoughtan, in part to Parker throwing an interception, Dee watched him take charge of the team.

"There was no panic," Dee said, "and that means a lot when you're in the huddle. When he threw the interception, he let the team know he was going to make up for it."

The Phantoms ended up winning, 13-6, with Parker scoring the decisive touchdown on a 52-interception return.

Although the Phantoms run on most of their plays, Parker is a proficient passer. He completed 45 percent of his passes this season (37 of 83) for 605 yards and has nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has rushed for 300 yards and eight touchdowns.

Parker, whose initials stand for Dorian James, believes his game has benefitted from playing alongside Brown -- one of the top athletes in the state -- on defense.

"That's good competition for me," he said. "I check Philip and he checks me, so when game time comes, it's easy for us. I figure if I can beat Philip, I can beat most."

He also knows that with Brown and defensive end Xavier Adibi being among the state's top recruits, he sometimes slips under an opposing team's radar.

"They don't really know about me," he said.

Parker's closest friend on the team is Adibi, whom he has known since middle school when they played on opposing rec league teams. When the two aren't playing for Phoebus, they're usually playing each other in Madden 2003 or watching "SportsCenter." Parker's younger brother, Matt Wright, who is a backup for the Phantoms, sometimes joins them.

"We kind of clicked immediately, playing basketball," Adibi said. "He was kind of nervous going out for football, but he did."

Parker's still skinny for a football player, but he works hard in the weight room to compensate for that; he currently benches 230-240 pounds.

"That kid could have a limb dangling and still play," assistant Stan Sexton said. "He's probably one of the best leaders we've had. Here's a kid who isn't really a quarterback, but we needed a quarterback and he's stepped up. Whatever it takes."

THE PARKER FILE

D.J. PARKER

* SCHOOL: Phoebus.

* POSITIONS: DB/QB.

* YEAR: Senior.

* HGT/WGT: 6-0, 160.

* NOTABLES: Tied for team lead in interceptions with three; also has seven pass breakups... full name is Dorian (pronounced Dor-ryan) James Parker ... little brother Matt Wright also plays for Phantoms.

Jennifer Garvin can be reached at 247-4759 or by e-mail at jgarvin@dailypress.com